Pliers

ABSTRACT

A specialized form of pliers having particular adaptability for use on a link bracelet as for adding, removing or replacing one or more links.

United States Patent 1 Simon 154] PLIERS [76] Inventor: Oscar J. Simon,5059 Tippecanoe Drive, Evansville, 1nd. 47715 22 Filed: Oct.6, l97l 21Appl.No.: 186,939

52 u.s.c1 ..29/268,81/5.1 R,81/426,

, 72 409,59/7 51 Int. Cl......B23p 19/04, B211 21/00, B25b 27/22 [58]Field ofSearch ..81/6,5.1 R, 300,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 807,240 12/1905 Carstensen..59/7' 1 June 5,1973

1,812,747 6/1931 Jorgensen 2,312,027 2/1943 Carlson 2,625,067 1/1953Stone et a1... 3,462,944 8/1969 Madre ..59/7

Primary Examiner-Granville Y. 'Custer, Jr. Assistant ExaminerRoscoe V.Parker Attorney-Warren D. Flackbert [57] ABSTRACT A specialized form ofpliers having particular adaptability for use on a link bracelet as foradding, removing or replacing one or more links.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures \ll lllll PATENTEU H 1 7 3,736,644

INVENTOR Qrcme I .SVMoA/ BY Zak 25M ATTORNEY PLIERS As is known, ajeweler encounters many difficulties in the customary practice ofdisassembling a link bracelet, as for a watch, for example, to customizethe bracelet to the users wrist size or in the event of the replacementof a link. The approach to, date has been time consuming, oftentimespresenting less than high quality end results.

In accordance with the invention, pliers are provided which serve toreadily disassemble a link bracelet, and, as well, to readily assemblesuch bracelet after service thereon has been performed. The pliers ofthe invention have cooperating jaws of different configurations. Onejaw, for example, has a laterally projecting curved upward portion whichis adapted to be inserted in a connecting link on a bracelet,'while theopposite jaw has a downwardly angling portion. The latter serves todepress one of the links of the bracelet, so that the adjacent link canbe removed. Reassembly after service is readily accomplished throughthe. release of the pliers. In any event, the pliers of the inventionprovide for rapid operation without any unnecessary damage to thebracelet under process.

A better understanding of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view of pliers in accordance with theteachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pliers of FIG. 1, look ing from top tobottom in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view showing the jaws of thepliers of the invention in an operative relationship with a bracelet;and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the subject pliers, wherethe lower jaw is in operative relationship with a bracelet and beforethe upper jaw is positioned for use.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated inthe drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the pliers defining the invention comprisea handle 12 having an upper jaw 124 at an end thereof, and a handle 14having a lower jaw 14a at an end thereof, where handles 12 and 14 aretypically pivoted at 15. The upper jaw 12a is cut out to define a wall12b and a wall 120, where a downwardly angling portion 12d extends fromwall 12c.

The lower jaw 14a of the pliers has a laterally projecting curved upwardportion 14b, where the inner curved surface 14b thereof may assume otherconfigurations to satisfy the curvature of different size openings intowhich portion 14b will be inserted. A stop 14c is also provided on lowerjaw 144.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the invention is shownin combination with a conventional link bracelet l7, typically definedby links 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d. Again, and typically, links 17a and 17care continuous, where links 17b and 17d utilize a spring fit betweenportions thereof. In other words, in order to remove link 17b, portion17b must be moved with respect to portion 17b" to provide a spacethrough which link 17a may pass.

In any event, when it is desired to remove link 17a,

for example, the pliers of the invention are so posiceding is alsoaccomplished in view of the space provided in front of the walls 12b andon the upper jaw 12a.

The procedure is similar in the instance when it is desired to add alink to the bracelet. In other words, with the depression of portion 17bof link 17b, another link can be added through the space betweenportions 17b and 17b". When portion 17b is released, spring action byportion 17b closes the aforesaid space.

From the preceding, it should be apparent, therefore, that the inventionpermits the ready replacement, addi tion, or removal of a link from aconventional bracelet. Positive positioning is provided by portion 14bon lowerjaw 14a, so that portion 12d on upper jaw 12a can properlyengage the desired portion of the adjacent link. As stated, the cut outportion on upper jaw 12a permits ease of entry insofar as link removalor addition is concerned. As it should be understood, the pliers aresusceptible to change of proportioning or the like, all within thespirit of the invention. Therefore, the preceding description should beconsidered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. Pliers comprising a handle having a first jaw cut out to define afirst wall and a second wall, a handle having a second jaw, said handlesbeing pivotally secured together, an inwardly angling lateral portion onsaid second wall of said first jaw extending in the direc; tion of saidsecond jaw, and a laterally extending curved portion on said second jawextending in the direction of said first jaw.

2. The pliers of claim 1 where said portion on said second jaw isadapted to be received within a link in a bracelet.

3. The pliers of claim 1 where said portion on said first jawselectively moves a portion of a link in a brace let from a normallyclosed position upon movement of said first jaw and said second jaw withrespect to each other.

4. The pliers of claim 3 where a space for bracelet disassembly isprovided upon movement of said portion of said link.

5. The pliers of claim 3 where said portion is springurged to saidnormally closed position.

6. The pliers of claim 1 where the space in front of said first wall andsaid second wall provides for link addition and removal.

7. The pliers of claim 1 where said portion on said second jaw has acurved inner surface adapted to assume the configuration of a particularlink.

l i i

1. Pliers comprising a handle having a first jaw cut out to define afirst wall and a second wall, a handle having a second jaw, said handlesbeing pivotally secured together, an inwardly angling lateral portion onsaid second wall of said first jaw extending in the direction of saidsecond jaw, and a laterally extending curved portion on said second jawextending in the direction of said first jaw.
 2. The pliers of claim 1where said portion on said second jaw is adapted to be received within alink in a bracelet.
 3. The pliers of claim 1 where said portion on saidfirst jaw selectively moves a portion of a link in a bracelet from anormally closed position upon movement of said first jaw and said secondjaw with respect to each other.
 4. The pliers of claim 3 where a spacefor bracelet disassembly is provided upon movement of said portion ofsaid link.
 5. The pliers of claim 3 where said portion is spring-urgedto said normally closed position.
 6. The pliers of claim 1 where thespace in front of said first wall and said second wall provides for linkaddition and removal.
 7. The pliers of claim 1 where said portion onsaid second jaw has a curved inner surface adapted to assume theconfiguration of a particular link.